Automatic spacer blocks for rolling mill work roll chocks

ABSTRACT

A ROLLING MILL INCLUDING SPACER BLOCKS BETWEEN THE WORK ROLL CHOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED IN PLACE AND RETRACTABLE TO HOLD OR NOT HOLD THE WORK ROLLS IN SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP.

March 16, 1971 J. R. BUTA Filed March 27 1968 FIG! 4 Sheets-$11661 l JOHN R. BUTA ATTORNEYS.

March 16, 1971 J B 3,570,296

.AQTOMATIC SPACER BLOCKS FOR ROLLING MILL WORK ROLL CHOCKS Filed March 27, 1968 4 Sheets$heet 2 l4 2A l I r36 /V 32-7 l: g/ z 1Q; 6 6 56 I J 2 4 a 25 it?! 25 L 60 f 1386' 94 Q in 58 &419 44 INVENTOR. JOHN R. BUTA ATTORNEYS.

J. R. BUTA -March 16, 19-71 AUTOMATIC SPACER BLOCKS FOR ROLLING MILL WORK ROLL CHOCKS Filed March 27/ 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet f5 INVENTOR. JOH N R. BUTA BY W- ATTORNEYS.

J. R. BUTA March 16, 1971 AUTOMATIC SPACER BLOCKS FOR ROLLING MILL WORK ROLL CHOCKS Filed March 27, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. JOHN R. BUTA WWW ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent "ice 3,570,296 AUTOMATIC SPACER BLOCKS FOR ROLLING MILL WORK ROLL CHOCKS John R. Buta, Salem, Ohio, assiguor to Gulf Western Products Company, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Mar. 27, 1968, Ser. No. 716,581 Int. Cl. B21h 31/00 U.S. Cl. 72237 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rolling mill including spacer blocks between the work roll chocks automatically locked in place and retractable to hold or not hold the work rolls in spaced apart relationship.

This invention relates to a rolling mill, and, in particular, to a novel spacer block arrangement for holding the work rolls in a locked spaced apart relationship during work roll changing.

A rolling mill, particularly for processing metallic materials, comprises a plurality of vertically aligned rolls including a pair of relatively small diameter work rolls which serve to reduce a metallic strip passed therebetween, and upper and lower back-up rolls provided to lend stiffness to the smaller diameter work rolls. As the work rolls become worn, they must be changed, and this is done by laterally withdrawing the work rolls, with their chocks and bearings, from windows of the mill. Prior to this step, the rolls must be freed, involving in part spreading the roll stack so that adjacent rolls can be separated from each other.

As the work rolls are driven by a suitable drive means through a coupling, it is essential that on insertion of new rolls into the mill the axes of the new rolls coincide with the couplings of the drive means. For this reason, it is conventional practice to insert spacer blocks manually between the work roll chocks to maintain the separation of the chocks during the removal and replacement of rolls, or when the rolls are removed and transported for repair or maintenance operations.

The disadvantage with this practice is that the manual step adds to labor costs and time delay in roll changing. Further, the loose blocks may be lost, misused, or wrongly positioned between the work roll chocks.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic spacer block mechanism by which the manual step of inserting spacer blocks between work roll chocks is eliminated.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a rolling mill, including at least two vertically aligned work rolls and chocks aflixed to the ends thereof. For the purpose of replacement of rolls, or repair and maintenance, a conventional separating means is provided to initially separate the work rolls from each other. An automatic spacing mechanism holds the work rolls in spaced apart relationship, the mechanism comprising at least one spacer block vertically extendable between a retracted position and an extended position. The spacer block includes one end fixed to the lower work roll chock and a movable end engageable with the upper work roll chock. Means are provided to actuate the movable end relative the fixed end between the retracted position and the extended position. In order to lock the spacer block in the extended position, a locking slide is provided movable between a locking position and a non-locking position, with a spring or other suitable device biasing the slide to its locking position. Cooperating surfaces on the locking slide and mill proper force the slide to its non- Patented Mar. 16, 1971 locking position .when the upper and lower work roll assemblies are lowered into place in the mill.

The invention and advantages thereof will become apparent upon consideration of the following specification, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section view of a 4-high mill showing the roll stack in a raised separated position preparatory to withdrawal of rolls from the mill, with the spacer block of the invention in an extended and locked position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section elevation view of the spacing mechanism in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2A is a front view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 2 taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged plan section view taken along line 2B2B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic section elevation view illustrating a mechanism for separation of rolls in a 4-high mill; and

FIG. 4 is a section elevation view illustrating details of the roll separation mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular, FIG. 1, a typical 4-high mill comprises two small diameter work rolls 12 and 14 between upper and lower back-up rolls 16 and 18. The view in FIG. 1 is taken through a window 20 of the mill, this view also showing upper and lower end chocks 22 and 24 for the upper and lower work rolls. The entire stack has been raised by air cylinder 26 near the base of the mill frame, and the rolls have been separated, by means to be described, preparatory to withdrawal of the work rolls (12 and 14) from the mill. To hold the work rolls in a separated and exact relationship, left and right spacing mechanisms 28 and 30 are positioned between each of the end chocks for the upper and lower work rolls. The spacing mechanisms total four in all, in each corner between the work roll chocks.

FIG. 2 illustrates on of the spacing mechanisms (item 28) in detail. The spacing mechanism, in this figure, identified broadly by the numeral 28, is supported on the lower work roll chock 24. The chock 24 is the conventional heavy end block of metal which contains the bearings for the lower work roll, and is laterally spaced from the bearings on opposite sides to accommodate both the left and right spacing mechanisms. Each chock is provided with a drilled vertically oriented recess 32 opening upwardly and extending downwardly close to the bottom surface of the chock. A second recess 34 at right angles to the recess 32 extends inwardly on a horizontal plane towards the work roll bearing and intersecting the recess 32. Within the recess 32, there is disposed a spacer block 36, which consists of a hollow cylinder 38, an air cylinder 40, and an air piston shaft 42, the latter being connected by bolt 46 to the cylinder 38. At the bottom, the air cylinder 40 is secured tothe lower work roll chock 24 by screws 44, and at the top, conventional wiper-scraper seals 52 protect the walls of hollow cylinder 38 during up and down movement of the cylinder within the recess 32. Also at the top of the spacer block, the hollow cylinder 38 is provided with an extension 48 which is received by and engaged by a cooperating slot 50 in the upper work roll chock 22.

In FIG. 2, the spacer block 36 is shown in its extended position with the cylinder 38 raised from the bottom of the recess 32 into contact with the upper work roll chock 22. Phantom lines 38a show the position of the cylinder when the spacer block is in a retracted position and the cylinder is close to the bottom of the recess 32. Retracted, the top of the cylinder 38 would be substantially flush with the top of work roll chock 24.

Within the horizontal recess 34, a locking member or slide 54 is slidably engaged by the recess 34, biased outw-ardly from the recess by spring 56 or any other suitable means, disposed between the locking member or slide 54 and the base of the recess 34. The diameter of the horizontal recess 34 is greater than that of the vertical recess 32, as is the diameter of the locking member or slide 54 (notice FIGS. 2A and 2B), so that the latter can be provided with a vertically extending slot '60 through which the air cylinder 40 extends. The slot 60' is bored to two diameters, a small diameter opening 62 in the rear portion of the locking member, and a larger diameter opening 64 in the front portion, providing in the front portion an opening sufiiciently large to accomomdate the hollow cylinder or piston 38 for travel in an up and down direction in the slot, and in the rear portion, an opening which accommodates only the narrower or lesser diameter extension 68 extending downwardly from the bottom of cylinder or piston 38. The top of the locking member or slide is also cut away a short distance down from the top surface around the slot 60 and specifically around opening 62 (see FIG. 2) to provide an annular seat 66 encompassing the opening. The extension 68 creates an annular shoulder 70 (FIG. 2) on the cylinder or piston 38 which therefore cooperates with the seat 66 to lock the hollow cylinder or piston of the spacer block in the upper extended position when the locking member is in its biased outward position.

The slot 60 is generally oval in shape as shown in FIG. 2B having its longer axis aligned with the direction of travel of the locking member to permit limited travel of the locking member relative the stationary (in a horizontal direction) hollow cylinder. Therefore, when the locking member is forced into the recess against the biasing spring 56, the shoulder 70 on cylinder or piston 38 can no longer engage the locking member seat 66 permitting the hollow cylinder 38 to recede downwardly into the recess 32.

For the purpose of forcing the locking member 54 against the biasing spring '56 and into the horizontal recess 34, the locking member is provided on its front face with a cam surface 72 which extends downwardly and inwardly across the face of the locking member. In a manner to be described, the cam surface 72 engages a cooperating surface 74 of a liner 76 which is fixed to the lower end chock 77 of the lower back-up roll '18.

Towards actuating the air cylinder 40, a suitable connection 79 is provided leading to an air supply source.

In operation, it has already been mentioned that the roll stack must be raised and the rolls separated for removal of the work rolls from the mill. This can be accomplished in any number of ways, but one suitable way is to provide a bottom air cylinder 26 (shown on FIG. 1) which is connected to the chocks for the bottom or lower back-up roll, and which raises the entire stack. Details of this need not be shown, as it is not part of the present invention, and further in that such a stack lift cylinder is a known item.

To separate the lower work roll from the lower back-up roll, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 sufiices. The work roll 14, positioned above the back-up roll 18, is separated from the back-up roll by air cylinders 78 and 80 connected to the end chocks for the back-up roll, each having pistons 82 and 84 engaging cooperating surfaces on the end chocks for the lower work roll.

FIG. 4 is of interest, showing schematically the dolly 86 which is rolled into place on rollers 88, so that it lies beneath the chocks for the lower work roll. The lower work roll is readily lowered upon the dolly, and together with the upper work roll, is removed from the mill on the dolly, the latter running on suitable tracks leading from the mill. Lowering onto the dolly is accomplished by de-energizing the air cylinders 78 and 80 once the dolly is in position.

FIG. 3 is of interest, illustrating schematically both the air cylinders 78 and 80 for the separation of the lower back-up roll and the lower work roll, but also balancing 4 cylinders 90 and 92 between the upper and lower chocks for the upper and lower work rolls. (FIG. 2B illustrates the relationship of the balancing cylinders to the spacer blocks.) The balancing cylinders, two between each end chock, served to separate the work rolls from each other during the period when there is no workpiece between the rolls. Without these balancing forces, unbalancing forces would tend to band the rolls together causing possible damage to the roll surfaces.

Prior to utilization of the spacing mechanism, and spacer blocks, the balancing cylinders 90 and 92 are energized to separate the work rolls, The air cylinders 40 for the spacer blocks are then energized raising the spacer blocks to their extended positions, and into contact with the chocks for the upper work rolls. Movement of the hollow cylinders or pistons 38 permit the locking members to move outwardly into locking position. The air cylinders for the spacer blocks are then de-energized allowing the upper end chocks to come downwardly and the hollow cylinders or pistons 38 to recede slightly until the annular shoulders 70 of the cylinders engage the seats 66 of the locking members. This automatically holds the end chocks of the upper and lower work rolls in spaced apart relationship, and the rolls also in a predetermined spaced apart relationship.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is noticed that the cam surface 72 of the locking member is clear (when the spacer block is in its extended position) of the cooperating surface 74 on the liner 76. This is possible since prior to the above steps, the lower work roll has been separated from the lower back-up roll by energizing air cylinders 78 and 80, FIG. 4. Referring to the latter figure, and also FIG. 2 the end chocks of the lower work roll, items 24, slide within the end chocks 77 of the lower back-up roll, the latter having upwardly extending arms 94, with liners 76 which engage the work roll chocks 24 and liners 58 therefor.

FIG. 4 does not show the spacing mechanisms (28 and 30 of FIG. 2), but it is evident that as the chocks for the lower work roll slide up and down within the chocks for the lower backup roll, that the locking member or slide 54 will be freed for outward movement and alternatively forced backwardly into the horizontal recesses 34, by contact of the cam surfaces 72 for the locking members with the liners 76.

Accordingly, the sequence for utilization of the spacing mechanisms between the work rolls is first to separate the lower work roll from the lower back-up roll, positioning the locking member cam surface 72 above thelower back-up roll chock liner 76, and then to separate the work rolls by means of the balancing cylinders so that the spacer block mechanism can be energized. Energizing the spacer block air cylinders moves the pistons 38 upwardly permitting the locking members to slide outwardly into locking position, and de-energizing the balancing members brings the pistons down slightly into contact with the locking members, locking the work rolls in a predetermined spaced apart relationship.

Following change of the work rolls, and reassembly of the mill, the reverse procedure in essence is executed. The balancing cylinders are first energized to free the spacer blocks from the locking members. The air cylinders separating the lower work roll from the lower back-up roll are then de-energized allowing the lower work roll chocks to move downwardly within arms 84 of the back-up roll chocks. This causes cam surface 72 to contact liner surface 74 (of the back-up roll chocks) forcing each locking member to its recessed non-locking position. The balancing cylinders are then de-energized permitting the work rolls to come together, and the entire stack is then lowered into operating position.

It has been mentioned above that the air cylinders 40 are energized and de-energized for raising and lowering the spacer blocks. If desired, the cylinders could be energized at all times during use and the weight of the upper work roll chocks on de-energizing balancing cylinders and 92 would be sufiicient to overcome the force of these cylinders to lower the spacer blocks.

It may be desired to change the work rolls by porter bar individually, that is the top roll alone and first, and then the bottom roll by the same method. If such is the case, the spacer block mechanism will not be utilized. The air to cylinders 40 is shut off, and the downward position of the hollow cylinder or piston 38 of the spacer block within the recess 32 automatically prevents the locking member 54 from moving outwardly within its recess.

It is apparent that the invention permits full automation of the spacer block positioning, eliminating the manual placing of blocks and the time delays incident therewith. The steps of roll separation, roll replacement, and mill assembly can be accomplished automatically with some assurance of alignment of axes of the work rolls with the spindles and couplings of the drive mechanism therefor.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments many variations thereof within the scope of the following claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, other modes of separation of the rolls than those described may be used. In addition, other actuating means besides an air cylinder can be used for positioning the spacer blocks, and means other than a cam surface can be utilized for retraction of the locking members. Other variations such as location and orientation or support of the various members of the spacing mechanism will be apparent to those skilled in the art. If desired, the spacing mechanisms 28 can be supported on the upper work roll chocks 22.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rolling mill having upper and lower work roll assemblies with each assembly comprising a work roll and end chocks therefor and means for separating said work rolls from each other, spacing means for maintaining said work rolls in spaced-apart relationship to facilitate roll spacing during removal from said mill, said spacing means comprising:

at least one spacer block disposed between horizontally extending surfaces of said work roll chocks, said spacer block being fixed at one end to one of said work roll chocks and including another movable end engaging the other of said work roll chocks;

means for actuating said movable end relative to said fixed end between a first retracted position and a second extended position, the latter when said rolls are separated;

locking means for locking each said spacer block means in said second position, said locking means being generally horizontally slidable from a first non-locking position to a second locking position in looking contact with said spacer block means;

means for forcing said locking means to said second position; and,

means for forcing said locking means to said first position.

2. A rolling mill according to claim 1 further including: means for raising at least said lower work roll chocks relative to said mill, wherein said spacing mechanism is supported on the lower work roll chocks, said spacer block means thereby being extendable to said second position in a vertical upward direction;

said locking means including a forwardly facing cam surface coextensive with said horizontal movement of said locking means; and,

a surface on said mill cooperating with said cam surface for actuating said locking means to said first nonlocking position when said lower work roll chocks are moved downwardly relative said mill.

3. A rolling mill according to claim 2, further including upper and lower back-up rolls and end chocks therefor, wherein said lower work roll chocks are slidably movable within said lower back-up roll chocks, and

means for separating said lower back-up roll chocks and said lower work roll chocks, said cooperating mill surface being a surface on said lower back-up roll chocks.

4. A rolling mill according to claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of vertically oriented recesses opening upwardly in said lower work roll chocks, said spacer block means being disposed in said recesses;

a plurality of horizontal recesses extending outwardly relative to the vertical axis of said mill and intersecting said vertically oriented recesses, said locking means being disposed in said horizontal recesses;

said means for forcing comprising a spring disposed at the bottom of each of said horizontal recesses for forcing said locking means outwardly,

said locking means being of a larger cross sectional dimension than said spacer block and having an aperture therein through which said spacer block extends; and,

said aperture being of sufficient axial length relative the direction of movement of said locking means to permit said horizontal movement of said locking means therein.

5. A rolling mill according to claim 2 wherein said cam surface extends downwardly and rearwardly.

6. In a rolling mill including at least two vertically aligned upper and lower work rolls, chocks afiixed to the ends thereof, means to separate said work rolls from each other, a spacing mechanism for said work rolls to hold them in spaced apart relationship comprising at least one spacer block means vertically extendable between a retracted position and an extended position including one end fixed to the lower work roll chocks and a movable end engageable with the upper roll chocks;

said movable end including a surface defining a downwardly facing seat;

actuating means to move said movable end vertically between the spacer block means retracted and extended positions;

locking means horizontally movable between a locking position and a non-locking position engaging the spacer block means seat when in the locking position, and when the spacer block means is in an extended position;

cooperating surfaces on said locking means and spacer block means holding said locking means in a nonlocking position when said spacer block means is in its retracted position;

means for forcing said locking means in the direction of said locking position;

a cam surface on said locking means;

a cam actuating surface on said mill engaging said cam surface operable to force said locking means out of said locking position into said non-locking position on predetermined movement of the lower work roll chocks relative the cam actuating surface.

7. A rolling mill comprising upper and lower work roll assemblies, each assembly comprising work rolls, end chocks therefor;

spaced apart upper and lower back-up rolls above and below said work rolls;

upper and lower back-up roll chocks for said back-up rolls, said work roll chocks slidably engaging said back-up roll chocks;

first pneumatic cylinder means engaging said work roll chocks extendable to force said work rolls apart in a vertical direction;

second pneumatic cylinder means engaging said lower work roll chocks and said lower back-up roll chocks to force apart vertically the lower work roll from the lower back-up roll;

a spacing mechanism to maintain said work roll chocks in a spaced apart relationship comprising at least one spacer block means vertically disposed between said work roll chocks fured at one end to the lower of said work roll chocks and including another movable end engaging the upper work roll chocks;

actuating means to actuate said movable end relative the fixed end between a first retracted position and an extended position;

locking means movable between a locking position and a non-locking position engaging and locking said spacer block means when in a locking position and when the latter is in its extended position;

means for forcing said locking means to its locking position;

said locking means having a cam surface;

said lower back-up roll chocks including a cam actuating surface engaging said cam surface forcing the locking means to its non-locking position when said second cylinder means is de-energized allowing the lower Work roll chock and lower back-up roll chocks to come together.

8. A rolling mill work roll chock spacing assembly for maintaining oppositely disposed work roll chock surfaces in a spaced-apart relationship, said chock assembly comprising:

at least one spacer block mounted relative to a first work roll chock surface which is to be in cooperating relation to a second work roll chock surface, said spacer block having a movable end movable relative to said first work roll chock surface;

means for actuating said movable end between a first retracted position when said first and second surfaces are in a first cooperating relationship and 8 a second extended position when said surfaces are in a second spaced-apart relationship;

locking means for locking said spacer block means in said second position, said locking means being generally horizontally slidable from a first non-locking position to a second locking position in locking contact with said spacer block means;

means for forcing said locking means to said second position; and,

means for forcing said locking means to said first position.

9. The chock assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said assembly further includes means for moving one chock of a pair of chocks away from the other chock of said pair whereby the opposing surfaces of said chocks in each pair are in spaced apart relationship.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,935,091 11/1933 'Iversen 72239 3,247,697 4/1966 COZZO 72-24O 3,398,559 8/1968 Tracy 72-245 3,436,945 4/1969 Karnkowski 72239 3,486,360 12/1969 Stubbs, et a1 72245 FOREIGN PATENTS 262,629 1/ 1964 Australia 72-245 644,874 9/1962 Italy 72-245 971,409 9/ 1964 Great Britain 72-237 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner B. J. MUSTAIKIS, Assistant Examiner 

